Ink Jet Cleaning Web Pressing Mechanism for Resolving Moisture Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face issues with ink adherence to conveying surfaces, leading to image contamination and complications in removing ink without causing moisture-related problems like bleeding or wrinkles, especially with high nip pressure resist rollers.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a cleaning unit, a cleaning liquid supply unit, and a web driving mechanism that presses a web against the conveying surface to remove ink and then supplies cleaning liquid to the surface, followed by removing the liquid, using a controller to manage the process and minimize apparatus size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wet cloth is used to remove ink from the conveying surface, then the ability to remove ink is improved, but moisture remaining on the conveying surface may adhere to the sheet, causing bleeding of images and wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is divided into two distinct phases using different portions of the same web: first, a cleaning liquid-supplied portion removes ink, then a subsequent dry portion removes moisture. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize its function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The web continuously moves through the cleaning system, providing uninterrupted cleaning action. The transition from wet cleaning to dry cleaning occurs seamlessly as different portions of the continuous web pass over the conveying surface, maintaining continuous useful action without interruption.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dry cloth is used to remove ink from the conveying surface, then moisture-related problems are avoided, but the ability to remove ink is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The web is functionally segmented into a cleaning liquid-supplied portion for ink removal and a subsequent dry portion for moisture removal. This segmentation enables the system to overcome the limitations of using either dry or wet cleaning alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning liquid is applied to one portion of the web, which then transfers it to the conveying surface. The subsequent dry portion of the web absorbs and removes the excess cleaning liquid, effectively discarding the moisture while retaining the beneficial ink-removal action.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional mechanisms are added to remove moisture from the conveying surface, then moisture-related problems are prevented, but the apparatus becomes more complicated and larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
A single web performs multiple functions: it conveys the sheet, applies cleaning liquid, removes ink, and then removes moisture. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each task, reducing apparatus complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink-removal function and moisture-removal function are merged into a single cleaning system using one continuous web. The web integrates both wet cleaning and drying capabilities, combining multiple functions into one unified mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively removes ink from conveying surfaces without causing image contamination or moisture-related issues, maintaining apparatus efficiency and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a web pressing section for pressing a web for removing an ink adhering to a conveying surface
Implementation Method 2
removing an ink adhering to a conveying surface
Implementation Method 3
supplies a cleaning liquid to an unused portion
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning unit includes a pressing roller for pressing a web for removing ink adhering to a conveying surface of a resist roller that conveys a sheet on which the ink has been discharged, against the conveying surface. A cleaning liquid supply unit supplies a cleaning liquid to an unused portion of the web. A web drive mechanism supplies the unused portion of the web to the nip region between the pressing roller and the conveying surface. A controller supplies the unused portion to which the cleaning liquid has been supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit to the nip region by using the web driving mechanism thereby removing the ink from the conveying surface, and subsequently supplies the unused portion to which the cleaning liquid has not been supplied to the nip region by the web driving mechanism thereby removing the cleaning liquid remaining on the conveying surface.